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House committee backs two‑year pilot to boost senior meal funding using surplus funds
Summary
Rep. Rick McClure’s HB1920 would use surplus state funds to fund a two‑year pilot that supplies food funding for senior centers and Meals on Wheels, with a $7 million cap and per‑grant state share limit of $20,000; the committee passed the bill as amended.
The Arkansas House Committee on Revenue and Taxation voted to advance HB1920, a two‑year pilot to help senior centers provide prepared and home‑delivered meals, sponsor Rep. Rick McClure said Feb. 1, 2025. The bill passed the committee by voice vote after an amendment and sponsor closing remarks.
The bill, as described by Rep. Rick McClure, would draw on surplus funds after certain other budget priorities are satisfied to provide up to $7 million for a two‑year pilot that supports both home‑delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals at senior centers. “The bill restricts the funding to food only. 50% to be used for raw food. 50% directly for operating or 50% for operating cost to deliver it to prepare it,” McClure said.
Nut graf: Committee members heard that senior nutrition funding has been flat for years while food and labor costs have risen. Luke Mattingly, CEO of CareLink, told the committee that “Funding for our senior centers… has been flat, without special one‑time funding since 2016.” Supporters told the panel that reductions in one‑time grants have cut home‑delivered meal capacity and increased waiting lists.
Key provisions and questions
- Program cap and timing: Sponsor described a two‑year pilot with a total program cap of $7,000,000 drawn from surplus funds after specified allocations. McClure said the program would use surplus funds over a two‑year pilot period and be restricted to food and delivery/preparation costs.
- Matching grants: HB1920 establishes a matching grant program for nonprofits, cities or counties that wish to provide senior nutrition services. Paul Gehring of DFA noted a per‑grant state share cap: “The state's share of the county, city, or nonprofit organization program shall not exceed $20,000.” Committee members confirmed that cap applies per grant.
- Impact on services: Supporters said prior one‑time grants delivered millions of meals, but that allocations have declined; sponsor estimated home‑delivered meals were hardest hit. Luke Mattingly said every region has waiting lists for Meals on Wheels and urged the committee to act: “There is not a region in the state that does not have a waiting list for Meals on Wheels right now. Not a single region.”
Votes and next steps: Committee adopted an amendment (adding cosponsors and technical language) and passed HB1920 by voice vote. The bill will move to the House for further consideration; agencies and the sponsor indicated reporting and fiscal follow‑up would be provided under the bill’s reporting requirements.
Ending: The measure directs state resources specifically to food and delivery costs and adds a matching grant mechanism intended to leverage local funding. Supporters said immediate action was needed to reduce waiting lists for home‑delivered meals and to prevent further degradation of congregate meal services.
